The Cambridge Football Club began its new soccer season playing in the preliminary rounds of the Ke Yona Nedbank Cup.
The preliminary matches were played at the Vosloorus Stadium over the weekend of September 21 and 22.
Cambridge kept most of their players from last season’s matches and drafted a few new faces.
The cold weather played a big part in the players’ performances.
In the beginning, Cambridge played off the back foot, and Vosloorus Arsenal scored first.
Cambridge changed tactics, and the equaliser was scored soon afterwards by new striker ‘R1’ Njabulo Mhlongo. Vosloorus scored one more goal, while Cambridge got two in the back of the net.
The final score was 3-2 to Cambridge.
The break in football seasons was evident because the players made basic mistakes.
Cambridge’s second match saw them up against VRRPHA Nation Football Club.
The match started just like their first, with the team again slow out of the blocks. Cambridge conceded two early goals.
Cambridge quickly levelled the score to 2-2 in the second half.
They made some defensive errors later in the match, allowing VRRPHA to break down their defences and score two goals.
The final score was 4-2 to VRRPHA Nation FC.
Cambridge, therefore, bowed out of the Nedbank Cup.
“We tried new ideas and players in the tournament to see how they cope on the big stage. We have learnt a few lessons along the way that will help us in the future,” said Cambridge head coach Mini Cooper Dineka.
Cambridge will now prepare for their league matches that start on October 12. They face Destroyers FC from Tembisa at the MacKenzieville Stadium.
